Assembly for supporting and drivingly connecting a wheel

ABSTRACT

An assembly  10  for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle and for drivingly connecting the wheel to a driveshaft, comprising a wheel carrier  11  which is attachable to the motor vehicle and is provided with an annular part  15  and a plurality of steering arms  16 ; a wheel hub  41  which is rotatably supported in the annular part  15  of the wheel carrier  11  and is provided with a flange  46  for bolting on the wheel; a rolling contact bearing  51  with two rows of rolling contact members for supporting the wheel hub  41  in the wheel carrier  11 , which rolling contact bearing  51  is insertable into the annular part  15  of the wheel carrier  11 ; and a constant velocity joint  71  which comprises an outer joint part  72  removably connectable to the wheel hub  41 , and an inner joint part connectable to the driveshaft, wherein the connection between the wheel hub  41  and the outer joint part  72  is provided by inter-engaging toothings, wherein at the wheel carrier  11   1 , in the annular part  15   1 , there is provided a broken-out portion  27   1 , in at least one circumferential position, so that a securing ring can be handled by pliers through the broken-out portion  27   1 .

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly for supporting a wheel of amotor vehicle and for drivingly connecting the wheel to a driveshaft,comprising a wheel carrier which is attachable to the motor vehicle andis provided with an annular part and a plurality of steering arms; awheel hub which is rotatably supported in the annular part of the wheelcarrier and is provided with a flange for bolting on the wheel; arolling contact bearing with two rows of rolling contact members forsupporting the wheel hub in the wheel carrier, which rolling contactbearing is insertable into the annular part of the wheel carrier; and aconstant velocity joint which comprises an outer joint part removablyconnectable to the wheel hub, and an inner joint part connectable to thedriveshaft, wherein the connection between the wheel hub and the outerjoint part is provided by inter-engaging toothings of which a firsttoothing is formed at a part of the wheel hub and wherein a secondtoothing is formed at a sleeve projection at the outer joint part, andwherein the inter-engaging toothings are axially secured by a securingring which engages two annular grooves of which a first annular grooveis formed at said part of the wheel hub in the region of the firsttoothing and wherein a second annular groove is provided at the sleeveprojection in the region of the second toothing.

[0002] From WO 99/13232 there is known a unit of said type wherein, forassembly purposes, the securing ring is inserted into the annular grooveon the wheel hub and is contracted by means of a clamp in such a waythat it is positioned fully within the base diameter of the toothing orwherein the securing ring is inserted into the annular groove in theouter joint part and expanded by means of a wedge in such a way that itis positioned fully outside the base diameter of the toothing.Thereafter, the counter piece is mounted, i.e. the outer joint part isslid on or the wheel hub slid in until the annular groove providedtherein axially overlaps with the securing ring, and the clamp or wedgeis radially outwardly removed. In the process, the securing ring expandsso that it also engages the annular groove in the outer joint part, orthe securing ring contracts, so that it also engages the annular groovein the wheel hub. In both embodiments, there is provided a notch at theend of the outer joint part, which notch accommodates the clamp or wedgeas well as radially bent ends of the securing ring. To render thesecuring ring manipulatable in connection with removing the clamp orwedge, with the wheel hub being mounted in the wheel carrier, the wheelcarrier is provided with a radial bore which is positioned so as toaxially correspond to the annular grooves or, respectively, to the notchin the outer joint part, permitting access to a tongue projection at theclamp or wedge from the outside of the wheel carrier. Once the assemblyof the unit has been completed by removing the clamp or wedge,dismantling is possible only by destroying the securing ring by applyingaxial forces between the wheel hub and outer joint part.

[0003] DE 197 00 313 A1 proposes an assembly of said type wherein thesecuring ring is provided in the form of a snap ring which automaticallyengages the inner groove in the inner toothing of the outer joint part.Such an assembly cannot be dismantled in a non-destructive way. On thecontrary, when the wheel hub unit and the constant velocity joint areforcibly removed in the axial direction, the securing ring is squashedand the toothings may be damaged at the same time. From DE 197 51 855C1, there is known an assembly of the initially mentioned type whereinthe securing ring is freely radially accessible from the outside and ispositioned axially relative to the joint end, in front of the annularpart of the wheel carrier. For this purpose, the wheel hub is connectedto a driving ring which carries the respective toothing to achievetoothing engagement with the outer joint part, which driving ring isaxially extended beyond the hub end. This increases the overall lengthof the assembly, as a result of which simultaneously available lengthfor the driveshaft is lost, with the constant velocity joint formingpart of said driveshaft. Said length represents a particularly criticalaspect because shortening the driveshaft with predetermined maximumjoint angles goes hand in hand with a reduction in the steering anglesand spring travel.

[0004] It is the object of the present invention to further develop anassembly of said type in such a way as to facilitate the assembly anddismantling of the constant velocity joint and simultaneously to improvethe ability to replace driveshafts in motor vehicles. A first solutionconsists in that, at the wheel carrier, in the annular part, in at leastone circumferential position, there is provided a broken-out portionwhich axially cuts into the annular part from the wheel end and that,with a rolling contact bearing secured in the wheel carrier and with anouter joint part connected to the wheel hub, the two annular grooves arepositioned so as to axially correspond to the broken-out portion, andthe securing ring can be handled by pliers through the broken-outportion. A second solution consists in that, at the wheel carrier, inthe annular part, in at least one circumferential position, there isprovided a broken-out portion which axially cuts into the annular partfrom the joint end and that, with a rolling contact bearing secured inthe wheel carrier and with an outer joint part connected to the wheelhub, the two annular grooves are positioned so as to axially correspondto the broken-out portion, so that the securing ring can be handled bypliers through the broken-out portion. The means described here allow adriveshaft to be assembled and dismantled in a non-destructive waywithout there being any need for the vehicle wheel to be removed fromthe wheel hub or for the wheel hub to be removed from the wheel carrierand without the wheel carrier having to be removed in any way from thevehicle. The plunging distance required for the assembling anddismantling operations and for releasing the inter-engaging toothingsnecessarily exists design-based in the constant velocity joint at thedifferential end. Without substantially adversely affecting the strengthof the annular member, the design of the broken-out portion permits thenecessary access to the securing ring. For this purpose, the shaft withthe outer joint part has to be moved into a rotational position inwhich, in a radial view, the ends of the securing ring come to restbelow the notch, and the securing ring, again in an axial view, ispositioned inside the longitudinal extension of the broken-out portion.

[0005] According to an advantageous embodiment for both solutions, it isproposed that, in the circumferential direction, directly on both sidesof the broken-out portion, there are provided bolting means between theannular part of the wheel carrier and the outer bearing race of therolling contact bearing. In this way, the reduction in material at theannular member resulting from the broken-out portion is compensated forby the connection between the annular member and the outer bearing race.

[0006] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second solution,it is proposed that the broken-out portion is positioned in the regionof a steering arm into which it cuts radially. In this case, too, thereduction in material at the annular member resulting from thebroken-out portion is compensated for by the bridging function of thesteering arm.

[0007] In order to exclude load peaks and to ensure a harmonious curveof forces, the broken-out portion, in an axial view, is substantiallyU-shaped or optionally substantially U-shaped in an axial view.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the toothings at the sleeve projectionand at the wheel hub are provided in the form of inter-engaging hub andshaft toothings and, at the sleeve projection in the region of the hubtoothing, there is provided a circumferentially delimited and axiallydelimited notch which interrupts the second annular groove and which,with an outer joint part connected to the wheel hub, exposes the firstannular groove in the shaft toothing of the wheel hub and the securingring in a circumferentially delimited way. The ends of the securing ringare then able to engage the notch and support themselves thereon in thecircumferential direction. The ends of the securing ring projectingoutwardly from the notch are accessible through the broken-out portionfor assembling and dismantling purposes.

[0009] According to a further solution wherein, at the sleeveprojection, in the region of the toothing, there is provided acircumferentially delimited and axially delimited notch which interruptsthe second annular groove and which, with the outer joint part connectedto the wheel hub, exposes the first annular groove and the securing ringin a circumferentially delimited way, wherein an approximately radiallyextending bore is provided at the wheel carrier in the annular part andwherein, with the rolling contact bearing secured in the wheel carrierand with the outer joint part connected to the wheel hub, the twoannular grooves are positioned so as to axially correspond to the bore,it is proposed that the diameter d of the bore is smaller than or equalto the circumferential extension b of the notch and that the securingring can be handled by pliers through the bore. The means described hereallow a driveshaft to be assembled and dismantled in a non-destructiveway without there being any need for the vehicle wheel to be removedfrom the wheel hub or for the wheel hub to be removed from the wheelcarrier and without the wheel carrier having to be removed in any wayfrom the vehicle. The plunging distance required for the assembling anddismantling operations and for releasing the inter-engaging toothingsnecessarily exists design-based in the constant velocity joint at thedifferential end. In spite of reducing the size of the bore relative tothe circumferential extension of the notch, the securing ring can begripped in a conventional way by pliers.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that theaxial depth t of the notch is smaller than the diameter d of the bore.In this way it is ensured that the outer joint part is weakened aslittle as possible by the notch. At the same time it is ensured thatoutwardly bent ends of the securing ring engage the notch and act asanti-rotation means relative thereto.

[0011] After the assembly has been assembled and mounted, the bore canbe used for receiving an ABS sensor. For this purpose, a pulsegenerating ring has to be arranged in the direct vicinity of thesecuring ring, for example on the outer joint part.

[0012] For production reasons it is advantageous if the first toothingat the hub member is provided at a separate driving ring which is slidon to the wheel hub and non-removably secured thereto. To prevent anyrotation between said two parts, these, in turn, can be provided withinter-engaging longitudinal toothings. The driving ring can be axiallysecured on the wheel hub, in particular, by hub member beading. Thedriving ring can axially rest against an inner bearing race of a firstrow of rolling contact members, which bearing race is also slid on tothe hub member and which, at the same time, is clamped by the drivingring against an inner bearing race of a second row of rolling contactmembers. As a rule, the second inner bearing race is formed directlyfrom the hub member.

[0013] In an advantageous way, the subject of the present inventionprovides a short assembly of said type which, by simple means and in anon-destructive way and without removing the wheel carrier unit and thewheel hub unit, can be separated from the constant velocity joint of adriveshaft. At the same time the invention ensures easy accessibilityfor assembly purposes without substantially reducing the strength of theassemblies.

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the inventive assemblies to be attachedto a vehicle will be described below with reference to the drawingswherein

[0015]FIG. 1 is a view from above of a completely assembled unit of afirst type with a broken-out portion at the flange end

[0016] a) in a linear illustration

[0017] b) in a shaded illustration.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows the assembly according to FIG. 1 in a dismantledcondition with the wheel hub and outer joint part separated from thewheel carrier, without the securing ring

[0019] a) in a linear illustration

[0020] b) in a shaded illustration.

[0021]FIG. 3 shows the wheel carrier according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in theform of a detail in an inclined view from the flange end in a shadedillustration.

[0022]FIG. 4 shows a completely assembled unit of a second type with abroken-out portion at the joint end

[0023] a) in a longitudinal section through the axis of rotation in alinear illustration

[0024] b) in a view from the joint end including a phantom illustrationof the constant velocity universal joint in a perspective shadedillustration.

[0025]FIG. 5a shows the assembly according to FIG. 4 with the wheel huband joint unit separated from the wheel carrier, in a longitudinalsection according to FIG. 4a.

[0026]FIG. 5b shows the assembly according to FIG. 4 with the wheel huband the constant velocity joint separated from the wheel carrier, in ashaded illustration according to FIG. 4b.

[0027]FIG. 6 shows the wheel carrier according to FIGS. 4 and 5 in theform of a detail in a perspective shaded illustration.

[0028]FIG. 7 shows a completely assembled unit of a third type with aradial bore in the annular part of the wheel carrier in half alongitudinal section.

[0029]FIG. 8 shows the assembly according to FIG. 7 in a cross-sectionalview along sectional line A-A.

[0030]FIG. 9 shows the completely assembled unit in a shadedillustration in a radial view of the bore in the annular part.,

[0031]FIG. 10 shows the assembly according to FIG. 7 with a dismantledouter joint part in a shaded illustration in a radial view of the borein the annular part.

[0032]FIGS. 1a and 1 b will be described jointly below. The inventiveassembly 10 ₁ comprises a wheel carrier 11 ₁, a wheel hub 41 and aconstant velocity joint 71. The wheel carrier 11 ₁ can be seen to beprovided with a central annular part 15 ₁ comprising a first steeringarm 16 ₁, with a fixing eye 17 ₁ and a second steering arm 18 ₁ with twofixing eyes 19 ₁, 20 ₁. Further fixing eyes 21 ₁, 22 ₁, 23 ₁, are formedin different directions at the annular part 15 ₁. In the annular part 15₁ there is provided a broken-out portion 27 ₁, which is open towards thewheel hub unit 41, which extends parallel to the axis of the annularpart as far as a flange face 28 ₁ of the annular part 15 ₁ and whichends therein. The wheel hub unit 41 comprises a wheel bearing 51 with anouter bearing race 59 which is shown to comprise bolting means 63, 64which serve for being threaded on to the flange face 28 ₁ of the annularpart 15 ₁ and which directly adjoin each side of the broken-out portion27 ₁. In the wheel bearing 51 there is supported the hub member 45 whichcarries a wheel flange 46 having four flange eyes 47-50. A cap 43 isplaced on to the wheel hub 41. The constant velocity joint unit 71comprises an outer joint part 72 with a sleeve projection 82, with anotch 74 being provided in the end face 73 at the wheel hub end, whichnotch 74 is turned so as to correspond to the broken-out portion 27 ₁ inthe annular part 15 ₁ of the wheel carrier 11 ₁. Through said notch 74it is possible to see an outer toothing 52, with an annular groove 53being turned into said outer toothing 52. It is also possible to see asealing ring 54 through said broken-out portion 27 ₁.

[0033] In FIG. 2, the details corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1have been given the same reference numbers. To that extent, reference ismade to the respective description. The wheel hub unit 41, the wheelcarrier 11 ₁ and the constant velocity joint unit 71 are shown along theaxis of rotation in a spread-apart position in an exploded view. Apartfrom the details referred to in connection with FIG. 1, the wheelcarrier 11 ₁ is not shown to comprise any further details. The wheel hubunit 41 clearly shows the outer toothing 52 in its complete axialextension as well as its annular groove 53. Through the notch 74 it ispossible to see an inner toothing 75 at the outer joint part 72 of theconstant velocity joint 71, with a further annular groove 76 beingprovided in said inner toothing 75. When the unit is assembled, theinner toothing 75 engages the outer toothing 52 at the wheel hub 41,with the annular groove 53 overlapping with the annular groove 76 andwith both, jointly, accommodating a securing ring 57.

[0034]FIG. 3 shows the annular part 15 ₁, of the wheel carrier 11 ₁ in aview taken from the flange face 28 ₁, with the radial extension of thebroken-out portion 27 ₁, being clearly visible. The annular part 15 ₁,is shown to comprise further eyes 24 ₁, 25 ₁, 26 ₁, with bores whichextend parallel to the axis, as well as further larger eyes 29 ₁, 30 ₁,for rotary journals and steering arms. In the flange face 28 ₁, thereare provided threaded bores 31 ₁, 32 ₁, 33 ₁, 34 ₁, for being threadedon the outer bearing race 59. Furthermore, there can be seen an annulargroove 36 ₁ for receiving the above-mentioned sealing ring 54 ₁ in thethrough-hole 35 ₁ of the annular part 15 ₁.

[0035] In FIGS. 4 to 6, any details corresponding to those shown inFIGS. 1 to 3 have been given the same reference numbers. The details ofthe deviating wheel carrier have been given the index 2.

[0036]FIG. 4a deviates from FIGS. 1 to 3 in that, in the wheel carrier11 ₂ whose steering arm 16 ₂ is broken off in the illustration and whosebearing eye 29 ₂ is shown in section, there is provided a broken-outportion 27 ₂ which extends substantially parallel to the axis ofrotation of the assembly 10 ₂ and, at the same time, extends radiallytherefrom into the steering arm 16 ₂. Of the wheel hub unit 41 it ispossible to see the hub member 45 and the wheel flange 46. Of the wheelbearing 51, beyond the outer bearing race 59, it is possible to see tworows 61, 62 of rolling contact members and an inner bearing race 60which is positioned on the hub member 45. The latter is connected to adriving ring 55 provided with the annular groove 53. At the end of thehub member 45, there is provided a beading 56 which holds the drivingring 55. A securing ring 57 is inserted into the annular groove 53. Inthe wheel bearing 51 it is possible to see a sealing ring 58 and theabove-mentioned sealing ring 54. The constant velocity joint 71, apartfrom comprising the outer joint part 72 with the notch 74, is shown tocomprise an inner joint part 77, a ball cage 78 and torque transmittingballs 79 as well as a sealing sheet metal cover 80. The outer joint part72 is slid on to the driving ring 55, with the securing ring 57 engagingthe two annular grooves 53, 76 which are arranged so as to correspond toone another.

[0037] In FIG. 5a, the components of the assembly 10 ₂, the wheelcarrier 11 ₂, the wheel hub unit 41 and the constant velocity joint 71are pulled apart along their axes and shown in an exploded view. Inparticular, FIG. 5b shows the outwardly bent portions which arepositioned at the ring ends 65, 66, which come to rest in the broken-outportion 27 and which, at the same time, form anti-rotation meansrelative to the broken-out portion 27. Instead of the outwardly bentportions it is also possible to provide enlarged eyes or the like at thering ends 65, 66.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows the wheel carrier 11 ₂ with the above-explaineddetails which, in this Figure, have been given the same referencenumbers. It is particularly easy to identify the broken-out portion 27 ₂at the wheel end which extends symmetrically relative to thelongitudinal axis of the bore 35 ₂ and radially into the steering arm 16₂. It can be seen that by using the broken-out portion 27 ₂, there isprovided free access to the securing ring 57 connecting the wheel hubunit 41 and the constant velocity joint 71.

[0039]FIG. 7, in half a longitudinal section, shows an assembled unit 10₃ comprising a nub assembly 41 ₃ and a constant velocity joint 71 ₃. Atthe hub member 45 ₃, there is provided an intermediate base 43 ₃. Abeading 56 ₃ at the hub member 45 ₃ holds a driving ring 55 ₃ whichengages the hub member 45 ₃ via longitudinal toothings 44 ₃. The drivingring 55 ₃, in turn, holds an inner bearing race 60 ₃ of a wheel bearing51 ₃. A seal 59 ₃ seals the wheel bearing. Two rows 61 ₃, 62 ₃ ofrolling contact members and the outer bearing race 59 ₃ of the wheelbearing 51 ₃ are also shown. At the driving ring 55 ₃ it is possible tosee an outer toothing 52 ₃ and an annular groove 53 ₃. The constantvelocity joint 71 ₃ comprises an outer joint part 72 ₃ with a sleeveprojection 82 ₃, an inner joint part 77 ₃, a cage 78 ₃ and balls 79 ₃.At the end face 73 ₃ of the sleeve projection 82 ₃, it is possible tosee a notch 74 ₃. An Inner toothing 75 ₃ at the sleeve projection 82 ₃cooperates with an outer toothing 52 ₃ at the driving ring 55 ₃. At itscircumference, the outer joint part 72 ₃ carries a transmitter ring 81 ₃for an ABS sensor.

[0040] Of the wheel carrier 11 ₃, there is shown only an annular part 15₃ in section, with a steering arm 16 ₃ being shown in a broken-offcondition. In the annular part 15 ₃, a radial bore 27 ₃ whose centralaxis R extends approximately radially relative to the axis A of theassembly 10 ₃ is axially associated with the annular groove 53 ₃. PliersZ indicate that free access to the securing ring 57 ₃ is provided viasaid bore 27 ₃ and via the notch 74 ₃. The diameter d of the bore 27 ₃is greater than the axial depth t of the notch 74 ₃. After the joint hasbeen assembled, said ABS sensor can be inserted into the bore 27 ₃.

[0041]FIG. 8, in a cross-sectional view along line A-A according to FIG.7, shows the following details from the inside to the outside: a hubmember 45 ₃, toothing 44 ₃, a securing ring 57 ₃ in the annular groove53 ₃ and in the annular groove 76 ₃, a sleeve projection 82 ₃ at theouter joint part, with all said parts being shown in section; a notch 74₃ in the sleeve projection 82 ₃ and a transmitter ring 81 ₃, each in aplan view; an outer joint part 72 ₃ in a plan view; an annular part 15 ₃of the wheel carrier with a radial bore 27 ₃ in a partially broken-awaycross-section. At the securing ring, it is possible to see the ends 65 ₃and 66 ₃ which are gripped and moved together by the pliers Z throughthe bore 27 ₃, so that the securing ring 57 ₃ leaves the inner groove 76₃ in the sleeve projection 82 ₃ at the outer joint part and the outerjoint part can be removed from the wheel hub in a non-destructive way.The diameter d of the bore 27 ₃ is smaller than the circumferentialextension b of the notch 74 ₃.

[0042]FIG. 9 shows the wheel carrier 11 ₃, the wheel hub unit 41 ₃ andthe constant velocity joint 71 ₃, with the details having been given thesame reference numbers as in the previous Figures. The wheel hub unit isalso shown to comprise a wheel flange 46 ₃. In the annular part 15 ₃,there is shown the radial bore 27 ₃ which is provided with a continuoussealing ring 54 ₃, and the free outwardly bent ends 65, 66 of thesecuring ring 57 ₃ can also be seen. By gripping the ends 65, 66 of thesecuring ring 57 ₃ and compressing same by means of the pliers Z, it ispossible to reduce the securing ring 57 ₃ in such a way that it entersthe annular groove 53 ₃ in the driving ring 55 ₃ more deeply while atthe same time sliding out of the inner annular groove 76 ₃ in the outerjoint part 72 ₃, so that the constant velocity joint 71 ₃ can be removedfrom the hub unit 41 ₃ and especially from the driving ring 53 ₃ in anon-destructive way.

[0043]FIG. 10 shows the assembly 10 ₃ after the constant velocityuniversal joint 71 ₃ has been removed. Through the radial bore 27 ₃ itis possible to see the outer toothing 52 ₃, the hub assembly 41 ₃ withthe turned annular groove 53 ₃ and the securing ring 57 ₃. The wheel hub41 ₃ is turned into the wheel bearing 51 ₃ in such a way that, again,the ends 65 ₃, 66 ₃ of the securing ring 57 ₃ become visible, whichends, in this way, can bearing manipulated through the radial bore. GKNAutomotive GmbH 11^(th) December 2000 Hauptstrasse 150 Ne/bec (a1102128)53797 Lohmar P9B052WO10

Assembly for Supporting and Drivingly Connecting a Wheel

[0044] List of Reference Numbers 10 assembly 11 wheel carrier 13 14 15annular part 16 steering arm 17 eye 18 steering arm 19 eye 20 eye 21 eye22 eye 23 eye 24 eye 25 eye 26 eye 27 broken-out portion, bore 28 flangeface 29 eye 30 eye 31 threaded bore 32 threaded bore 33 threaded bore 34threaded bore 35 through-hole 36 annular groove 37 38 39 41 wheel hub 42cap 43 intermediate base 44 toothing 45 hub member 46 wheel flange 47flange eye 48 flange eye 49 flange eye 50 flange eye 51 rolling contactbearing 52 shaft tobthing 53 annular groove 54 sealing ring 55 drivingring 56 beading 57 securing ring 58 sealing ring 59 outer bearing race60 inner bearing race 61 row of rolling contact members 62 row ofrolling contact members 63 eye 64 eye 65 ring end 66 ring end 67 68 6970 71 constant velocity joint 72 outer joint part 73 end face 74 notch75 inner toothing 76 annular groove 77 inner joint part 78 ball cage 79ball 80 cover 81 transmitter ring 82 sleeve projection

1. An assembly (10) for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle and fordrivingly connecting the wheel to a driveshaft, comprising a wheelcarrier (11) which is attachable to the motor vehicle and is providedwith an annular part (15) and a plurality of steering arms (16); a wheelhub (41) which is rotatably supported in the annular part (15) of thewheel carrier (11) and is provided with a flange (46) for bolting on thewheel; a rolling contact bearing (51) with two rows (60, 61) of rollingcontact members for supporting the wheel hub (41) in the wheel carrier(11), which rolling contact bearing (51) is insertable into the annularpart (15) of the wheel carrier (11); and a constant velocity joint (71)which comprises an outer joint part (72) removably connectable to thewheel hub (41), and an inner joint part (77) connectable to thedriveshaft, wherein the connection between the wheel hub (41) and theouter joint part (72) is provided by inter-engaging toothings (52, 75)of which a first toothing (52) is formed at a part of the wheel hub (41)and wherein a second toothing (75) is formed at a sleeve projection (82)at the outer joint part (72), and wherein the inter-engaging toothingsare axially secured by a securing ring (57) which engages two annulargrooves (53, 76) of which a first annular groove (53) is formed at saidpart of the wheel hub (41) in the region of the first toothing (52) andwherein a second annular groove (76) is provided at the sleeveprojection (82) in the region of the second toothing (75), wherein, atthe wheel carrier (11 ₁), in the annular part (15 ₁), in at least onecircumferential position, there is provided a broken-out portion (27 ₁)which axially cuts into the annular part (15 ₁) from the wheel end andwherein, with the rolling contact bearing (51) secured in the wheelcarrier (11 ₁) and with the outer joint part connected to the wheel hub(41), the two annular grooves (53, 76) are positioned so as to axiallycorrespond to the broken-out portion (27 ₁), and the securing ring (57)can be handled by pliers through the broken-out portion (27 ₁).
 2. Anassembly (10) for supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle and fordrivingly connecting the wheel to a driveshaft, comprising a wheelcarrier (11) which is attachable to the motor vehicle and is providedwith an annular part (15) and a plurality of steering arms (16); a wheelhub (41) which is rotatably supported in the annular part (15) of thewheel carrier (11) and is provided with a flange (46) for bolting on thewheel; a rolling contact bearing (51) with two rows (60, 61) of rollingcontact members for supporting the wheel hub (41) in the wheel carrier(11), which rolling contact bearing (51) is insertable into the annularpart (15) of the wheel carrier (11); and a constant velocity joint (71)which comprises an outer joint part (72) removably connectable to thewheel hub (41), and an inner joint part (77) connectable to thedriveshaft, wherein the connection between the wheel hub (41) and theouter joint part (72) is provided by inter-engaging toothings (52, 75)of which a first toothing (52) is formed at a part of the wheel hub (41)and wherein a second toothing (75) is formed at a sleeve projection (82)at the outer joint part (72), and wherein the inter-engaging toothingsare axially secured by a securing ring (57) which engages two annulargrooves (53, 76) of which a first annular groove (53) is formed at saidpart of the wheel hub (41) in the region of the first toothing (52) andwherein a second annular groove (76) is provided at the sleeveprojection (82) in the region of the second toothing (75), wherein, atthe wheel carrier (11 ₂), in the annular part (15 ₂), in at least onecircumferential position, there is provided a broken-out portion (27 ₂)which axially cuts into the annular part (15 ₂) from the joint end andwherein, with the rolling contact bearing (51) secured in the wheelcarrier (11 ₂) and with the outer joint part connected to the wheel hub(41), the two annular grooves (53, 76) are positioned so as to axiallycorrespond to the broken-out portion (27 ₂), and the securing ring (57)can be handled by pliers through the broken-out portion (27 ₂).
 3. Anassembly according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in thatin the circumferential direction, directly on both sides of thebroken-out portion (27), there are provided bolting means (63, 64)between the annular part (15) of the wheel carrier (11) and the outerbearing race (59) of the rolling contact bearing (51).
 4. An assemblyaccording to claim 2, characterised in that the broken-out portion (27₂) is positioned in the region of a steering arm (16 ₂) into which itcuts radially.
 5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3,characterised in that, in a radial view, the broken-out portion (27) issubstantially U-shaped.
 6. An assembly according to claim 4,characterised in that, in an axial view, the broken-out portion (27 ₂)is substantially U-shaped.
 7. An assembly according to any one of claims1 to 6, characterised in that the toothings (52, 75) are inter-engaginghub toothings and shaft toothings and that, at the sleeve projection(82), in the region of the hub toothing, there is provided acircumferentially delimited and axially delimited notch (74) whichinterrupts the second annular groove (76) and which, with the outerjoint part (72) connected to the wheel hub (41), exposes the firstannular groove (53) in the shaft toothing of the wheel hub (41) and thesecuring ring (57) in a circumferentially delimited way.
 8. An assemblyaccording to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the firsttoothing (52) is provided at a separate driving ring (55) which is slidon to the wheel hub (41) and is non-removably secured thereto.
 9. Anassembly according to claim 8, characterised in that the driving ring(55) axially rests against an inner bearing race (60) of a first row(61) of rolling contact members, which inner bearing race (60) is slidon to the wheel hub (41) and is clamped against an inner bearing race ofa second row (62) of rolling contact bearings.
 10. An assembly (10) forsupporting a wheel of a motor vehicle and for drivingly connecting thewheel to a driveshaft, comprising a wheel carrier (11) which isattachable to the motor vehicle and is provided with an annular part(15) and a plurality of steering arms (16); a wheel hub (41) which isrotatably supported in the annular part (15) of the wheel carrier (11)and is provided with a flange (46) for bolting on the wheel; a rollingcontact bearing (51) with two rows (60, 61) of rolling contact membersfor supporting the wheel hub (41) in the wheel carrier (11), whichrolling contact bearing (51) is insertable into the annular part (15) ofthe wheel carrier (11); and a constant velocity joint (71) whichcomprises an outer joint part (72) removably connectable to the wheelhub (41), and an inner joint part (77) connectable to the driveshaft,wherein the connection between the wheel hub (41) and the outer jointpart (72) is provided by inter-engaging toothings (52, 75) of which afirst toothing (52) is formed at a part of the wheel hub (41) andwherein a second toothing (75) is formed at a sleeve projection (82) atthe outer joint part (72), and wherein the inter-engaging toothings areaxially secured by a securing ring (57) which engages two annulargrooves (53, 76) of which a first annular groove (53) is formed at saidpart of the wheel hub (41) in the region of the first toothing (52) andwherein a second annular groove (76) is provided at the sleeveprojection (82) in the region of the second toothing (75), wherein, atthe sleeve projection (82), in the region of the toothing, there isprovided a circumferentially delimited and axially delimited notch (74)which interrupts the second annular groove (76) and which, with theouter joint part (72) connected to the wheel hub (41), exposes the firstannular groove (53) and the securing ring (57) in a circumferentiallydelimited way, wherein an approximately radially extending bore (27 ₃)is provided at the wheel carrier (11) in the annular part (15) andwherein, with the rolling contact bearing (51) secured in the wheelcarrier (11) and with the outer joint part connected to the wheel hub(41), the two annular grooves (53, 76) are positioned so as to axiallycorrespond to the bore (27 ₃) and wherein the diameter d of the bore (27₃) is smaller than or equal to the circumferential extension b of thenotch (72) and wherein the securing ring (57) can be handled by pliersthrough the bore (27 ₃).
 11. An assembly according to claim 10,characterised in that the axial depth t of the notch (74) is smallerthan the diameter d of the bore (27 ₃).
 12. An assembly according to anyone of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that outwardly bent ends (65,66) of the securing ring (57) engage the notch (74) and act asanti-rotation means relative thereto.
 13. An assembly according to anyof claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the first toothing (52) isprovided at a separate driving ring (55) which is slid on to the wheelhub (41) and secured thereto so as to be non-removable.
 14. An assemblyaccording to any of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the drivingring (55) axially rests against an inner bearing race (60) of a firstrow (61) of rolling contact member, which inner bearing race (60) isslid on to the wheel hub (41) and is clamped against an inner bearingrace of second row (62) of rolling contact members.